Alabama is RBU

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Now that we’ve determined that Florida State is Quarterback U, at least since 2010, based on college and NFL success, it’s time to turn our attention to Running Back U.

In my column this past spring I awarded Georgia that designation, but it was more of an educated guess rather than a well-researched opinion. It turns out, despite the success of Todd Gurley and now Nick Chubb, that the Dawgs weren’t even close, which I found shocking.

The Criteria: Starting in 2010, we looked at how many first- and second-round NFL Draft picks a college produced, how many running backs from a school rushed for more than 1,700 yards in a college season, how many running backs from a school had more than 1,200 yards rushing in an NFL season and threw in intangibles like Heisman Voting, NFL MVP winners, All-Pro selections, Pro Bowls and pure subjective opinion.

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1. ALABAMA

The Crimson Tide are the clear top choice at running back, with Derrick Henry, Eddie Lacy, Trent Richardson and T.J. Yeldon all making their mark at the college and/or NFL level since 2010. And this doesn’t even include Mark Ingram winning the Heisman in 2009 but it, of course, does include his first-round draft status in 2011.

Focusing on Henry, Lacy, Richardson and Yeldon, though, Henry won the 2015 Heisman Trophy after leading the nation in rushing yards, which helped him get drafted in the second round this spring. Richardson finished third in the 2011 Heisman voting and was picked third overall in the 2012 Draft, but he has flamed out quickly in the NFL. Lacy has had the most NFL success of the group so far. After being drafted in the second round in 2013 he was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year with Green Bay. Finally, Yeldon, who was selected in the second round in 2015 by Jacksonville, showed flashes of potential for the Jaguars during his rookie season.

Damien Harris looks to be the next in line to keep this train rolling. The college success of Henry, Richardson, Lacy and Yeldon outweighs some other programs who have had better balance between college and the NFL, but not the depth of four big-time backs in such a span.

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